India’s Donation to Support Palestinian Refugees Welcomed by UNRWA

India's Donation to Support Palestinian Refugees Welcomed by UNRWA

VoM News Desk | November 21, 2023 | 05:14 PM IST | Palasteine, World | Follow on Google News

India’s Donation to Support Palestinian Refugees Welcomed by UNRWA

India’s Donation to Support Palestinian Refugees Welcomed by UNRWA

India has donated USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), a move that has been warmly received by the agency during challenging times, particularly in Gaza. This donation is a part of India’s annual contribution of USD 5 million for the fiscal year 2023-24.

UNRWA’s Mission and Funding

Operational since 1950, UNRWA provides relief, education, healthcare, and social services to registered Palestine refugees. The agency relies predominantly on voluntary contributions from UN Member States.

Handover Ceremony in Jerusalem

The contribution was officially handed over by Renu Yadav, the Representative of India to Palestine, to Karim Amer, Director of Partnerships at UNRWA. The ceremony underscored India’s continued support for the agency’s activities in the region.

UNRWA’s Struggles and India’s Assistance

UNRWA has been striving to maintain basic services for Palestinians, especially since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. The conflict has led to a significant displacement of people in Gaza. In addition to financial support, India also delivered 32 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Palestine on November 19.

India’s Pledge and Appeal to Other Donors

India pledged USD 10 million to UNRWA over two years during an Extraordinary Virtual Ministerial Pledging Conference in 2020. Additionally, India has appealed to traditional and potential new donors to enhance their contributions to support Palestinian refugees.

UNRWA’s Broad Mandate

UNRWA is mandated to assist and protect approximately 5.6 million registered Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The agency’s services are comprehensive, including education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure improvement, protection, and microfinance. India’s increased financial commitment since 2018, especially during the first-ever Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Palestine, reflects its commitment to supporting Palestinian refugees’ well-being.

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